|
|
|
TUESDAY 21 |
Kromkamp clarifies Reds 'criticism'
PSV Eindhoven defender Jan Kromkamp tonight attempted to
placate Liverpool fans ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League
clash at Anfield after being quoted criticising his former
club’s style of play.
Kromkamp had been quoted in a radio interview suggesting
that Liverpool resort too quickly to the long ball up to
striker Peter Crouch.
Kromkamp has not only annoyed Liverpool fans, but also
former boss Rafael Benitez and he has even received text
messages from former team-mates on the subject.
Now Kromkamp says: “I do not want the crowd after me, I want
them to know that what I said was misunderstood.
“I had just a short radio interview and I have never said
anything bad about Liverpool or the manager.
“I do not understand how anyone could say anything bad about
this club, I enjoyed my time at Liverpool and have never
said bad things like this. I even had text messages from
friends here about it and I want the crowd to understand.”
(Ireland On-Line)
Boss: Bellamy is no wide-boy
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says he has no intention of
converting Craig Bellamy into a winger.
The Spaniard was responding to suggestions that Bellamy
would be better utilised on either the right or the left
side of midfield.
"Bellamy is a striker. He likes to play as one of two
strikers and he likes to run behind the defenders, so I
think playing on the wing would be difficult for him," said
Benitez.
"Some games this season he has played on the right or the
left side but it's clear that he's more comfortable as a
centre-forward."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa unfazed by takeover talk
Rafa Benitez has admitted he is aware of takeover interest
in Liverpool, but is unfazed by the prospect of the club
heading into new ownership.
On the day West Ham confirmed Icelandic businessman Eggert
Magnusson had struck a deal to take control at Upton Park,
American entrepreneur George Gillett has been linked with a
bid for Liverpool.
Benitez is aware of interest in the club, but is keen to
ensure focus does not shift from on-field matters at
Anfield.
"We are focused on games and we need to improve our away
form and other things," he said on Sky Sports News. "And I
know the board will do the best thing for this club.
"I have some information, but I am not worried about this.
There are some people interested, but it is normal as this
is a big club.
"But I am focused on the games and trying to improve to see
how we can start winning away.
"I cannot control these things and I do not think about
them."
Benitez admits he has an eye on the January transfer window,
but is keen to ensure focus remains on climbing the league.
"I am always thinking about how to improve my team, I am not
thinking about January," he stated. "You always need to
check the market, but at the moment we are focused on the
next games."
(Sky Sports)
'Attack is our only option'
Rafa Benitez has vowed to maintain an all-out
attacking policy to fire Liverpool into form, as the Reds
seek to seal top spot in their Champions League group
tomorrow.
Benitez believes the adventurous approach he used at
Middlesbrough last weekend will ultimately prove the key to
his side reigniting their season.
Liverpool used two wingers at the weekend, while the absence
of Momo Sissoko means Benitez has no natural midfield
protection for his defence.
Despite another blank away from home, Benitez feel it's only
a matter of time before his side is rewarded for their
endeavour.
"No-one can say Liverpool is a defensive team. We play with
two wingers and use a lot of attacking players.
"I spoke to the players yesterday and told them if we keep
creating chances and playing well, things will change. It's
clear we would prefer to create more opportunities, but when
you watch the game it's unbelievable we didn't win on
Saturday."
(Liverpool Echo)
Garcia poised for Reds recall
Luis Garcia is pushing for a recall ahead of their Champions
League clash with PSV, a match that could decide who
finishes top of Group C.
The midfielder missed last week's international fixture with
a hamstring problem, and was still struggling with the
injury ahead of Saturday's 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.
But he is back in training now and will challenge for a
place as boss Rafael Benitez's seems certain to stick with
two wingers in an attacking system.
Daniel Agger is expected to retain his place in the centre
of defence ahead of Sami Hyypia, while Dirk Kuyt and Peter
Crouch should start up front.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Gonzalez,
Crouch, Kuyt, Bellamy, Fowler, Dudek, Warnock,
Paletta, Zenden.
(TEAMtalk)
Why I trust Moores to make right decision
If Liverpool is sold in the near future, we must hope
someone with a close affinity to the club takes over.
David Moores has been under a lot of pressure in recent
years, but he's a fantastic man and has been a great
chairman because he's always supported his manager.
All those who've worked for him should be grateful for the
backing and patience they've received, particularly when you
look at how often most clubs change the manager.
For all the criticism there may have been, it's always been
reassuring for fans to know the person at the top of the
club lives and breathes Liverpool and just wants the best
for his club.
I can't pretend to not feel a bit concerned when I see some
of the names linked with a takeover.
I don't know the ins and outs of Liverpool's search for
investment, or how serious the reported interest from abroad
is, but I'm sure most fans would prefer someone who not only
has the finance, but is also a fan.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
We want first says Carra
Jamie Carragher says Liverpool are determined to wrap up
first place in Group C tomorrow.
With both Liverpool and PSV already qualified for the
knockout stages of the Champions League there's a chance
both teams could take it easy at Anfield tomorrow. However,
Jamie Carragher says the Reds will be going all out for the
win as they want to top the group.
"Getting through to the next stage was our first objective
but the aim now is to finish top of the group," said Kop
favourite Carra.
"We have a decent defensive record in the Champions League
and hopefully we can keep that going.
"It is important to take advantage of playing PSV at home.
It will be very difficult as they have great experience in
the Champions League and they are doing very well in
the Dutch league."
(LFC Online)
Putterill strike seals victory for
Liverpool
Ray Putterill's goal saw Liverpool under-18s score their
second victory of the season as they won 1-0 at Blackburn
Rovers.
a poor start to the FA Premier Academy League, John Owens's
side seem to be finding their feet and made it three matches
unbeaten.
It was Putterill's second goal in a week after he scored in
the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
West Brom is also where Liverpool will begin their defence
of the FA Youth Cup, after they were handed an away fixture
in the third round of the competition.
The tie is at the Hawthorns and must be played on or before
December 16.
Liverpool have no game this week as the Academy League have
an In-service training weekend. Their next match is a week
on Saturday against Stoke at the Kirkby Academy (kick-off
11am).
LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Roberts; Behan, Gaughan, Spearing,
Burns; Putterill, Ryan, Barnett, Barratt; Collins (Parsonage
80), Wignall. Subs: McDonald, Routledge, Awang.
(Daily Post) |
|
MONDAY 20 |
Rafa confident in Bellamy
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Craig Bellamy will soon
discover his best form.
The 27-year-old has scored just one goal in The Premiership
this season and again failed to impress against
Middlesbrough on Saturday after being preferred to Peter
Crouch up front.
Benitez splashed out £6.5 million for the Welsh striker in
June and is eager to see him regain his confidence.
"I have said to him if he continues to work hard for me then
it's OK. He will score goals and play well. Sometimes he has
this anxiety and wants to do everything in a perfect way.
"I have confidence in Craig and had a good talk with him
after the Wales game. We analysed things and are trying to
give him confidence."
(Sky Sports)
Moores on verge of a deal to sell
Liverpool
Liverpool chairman David Moores is close to completing a
deal which could see him sell control of the club before the
end of the month while raising much-needed funds for a new
stadium and investment in the team.
Moores and chief executive Rick Parry will inform the board
at a meeting on Thursday of the state of negotiations with a
number of parties, led by Dubai International Capital, whose
head Samari Ansari is a Liverpool fan.
George Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey
club and formerly the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team,
is rated the other leading candidate to take control, but,
although Moores and Parry have visited him for talks, it is
understood he has still to make a formal offer.
Others who remain hopeful of sealing a deal include Belfast
property millionaire John Miskelly, a Norwegian group led by
Oystein Stray Spetalen and Petter Stordalen, and a
consortium based in Switzerland put together by Robert Herd,
the former chairman of Oxford United.
(Daily Mail)
Gonzalez pleads for fan patience
Mark Gonzalez today pleaded for patience as he comes to
terms with Premiership football.
Liverpool's ongoing failure to score goals on their travels
was again the focus of attention following the 0-0 draw with
Middlesbrough.
Gonzalez came as close as any Liverpool player to breaking
the deadlock in the second half, but admitted he's still
adapting to the physical demands of the English game.
"I need to settle more to English football. I knew it would
be difficult and it's going to take me more time to get used
to it," he said.
"I know I must do more, but I'm confident I will. I know
sometimes people don't understand that you can make mistakes
in a game and things don't always look perfect immediately,
but I'll keep on working."
(Liverpool Echo)
Failing to turn dominance into victory
Frustrated Rafael Benitez admitted Saturday's goalless draw
at Middlesbrough "felt like a defeat" after Liverpool wasted
the chance to end their away-day misery.
The visitors dominated possession and created a number of
chances but could not break down a stubborn Middlesbrough
rearguard.
It left Liverpool searching for their first Premiership away
goal since the opening day of the season and saw them fall
16 points behind leaders Manchester United.
And Liverpool manager Benitez said: "You could say it felt
like a bit of a defeat - if you analyse the game you see
that we lost two points.
"The players more than anyone don't want this poor away
record to continue."
(Daily Post)
Kuyt keeps faith for goal return on away
days
Dirk Kuyt has dismissed fears Liverpool's players
are lacking mental strength away from home despite conceding
it was "taking too long" to claim a first league win on
their travels this season.
Rafael Benitez's side were held to a goalless draw at
Middlesbrough on Saturday evening despite dominating
possession and creating a number of chances at the
Riverside.
"It's been lots of games away from home now without a goal
but we have to back ourselves because we have top quality
players," said the striker..
"Mentally we are very strong but we just have to keep making
the chances and we will soon start scoring the goals."
(Daily Post) |
|
SUNDAY 19 |
|
Benitez eyes transfer kitty boost
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says progress in the Champions
League is vital if the Reds are to raise much-needed
transfer funds.
Although Liverpool have already made the last 16 of the
Champions League, their Premiership form has been poor, and
Benitez wishes to make several top-class signings over the
next year.
This week's Anfield clash with PSV Eindhoven should decide
who tops their Champions League group, and Benitez believes
finishing first could unlock yet more cash:
"There's a lot of money at stake and if you continue winning
it gets bigger and bigger.
"That is very important to us so my team selection will be
the same as normal, even though we have qualified. Finishing
top should give teams a better opportunity of further
progress, so I won't be taking any chances.
"We know there are improvements we still have to make here."
(Clubcall Sports)
Kromkamp rounds on 'ugly' Reds
Liverpool misfit Jan Kromkamp has accused his former team of
being ugly.
Kromkamp, who found a home at PSV Eindhoven after being
shown the exit door by Rafa Benitez, claims the Eredivisie
side have the measure of their opposition ahead of
Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash.
With The Reds' form having taken a downturn this season,
Kromkamp claims the team's failings have been exposed.
Chief among them according to Kromkamp is Benitez's
over-reliance on long balls to Peter Crouch.
(Sky Sports)
Xabi worried by 'negative' Reds
Xabi Alonso believes the doom and gloom engulfing Liverpool
has already all but scuppered their hopes of competing for
the Premiership title.
Another below par performance from The Reds in a goalless
draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means the team
trail leaders Manchester United by 16 points after just 13
matches.
"The fight for the title is getting more and more difficult
for us," said Alonso.
"Not just because of the points difference but because of
the atmosphere I see at
the club."
(Sky Sports)
Momo latest
Momo Sissoko's surgery went well and the Mali international
will hopefully start light training in a fortnight.
Sissoko underwent surgery on his shoulder after picking up
an injury in the Reds' Carling Cup win over Birmingham City.
The operation was a success and the club hopes to see
Sissoko back in training very soon.
"The surgeons always say everything is fantastic but after
two weeks we will see if he can move the shoulder or the
arm. For two weeks he won't do anything, then after maybe he
will do some cycling or something. We will come up with a
specific training programme, and he will also improve his
English if he can. We will need to wait maybe two or three
months," Rafael Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv.
(LFC Online)
Reds draw West Brom
Liverpool have been drawn against West Bromwich Albion in
the FA Youth Cup 3rd round.
The holders face a trip to the Hawthorns in the 3rd round of
the FA Youth Cup. No date has yet been set for the match but
it must take place before December 16th.
(LFC Online)
U18s win at Blackburn
A goal from striker Ray Putterill gave the reds u18 side a
1-0 victory away at Blackburn this morning. It was only
their second win of the campaign, but John Owens' side have
now lost only two of their last eight games after a
nightmare start to the season.
On the other pitch, the u16s were held to a 2-2 draw.
(The Liverpool Way)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
